Collaborative Research: Integrating Subsurface Processes across Spatial and Temporal Scales - a Holistic Analysis of Vent Fluid Chemistry at the Lau Back-Arc Spreading Center

虽然热液喷口系统在洋中脊形成洋壳的地方得到了深入的研究，但在地壳俯冲回地幔的弧后盆地扩张系统中却鲜有研究。本文研究了东劳盆地一个弧后盆地扩张中心的热液活动化学演化及其与相关喷口生物学的联系。2009年收集的一系列独特的时间序列流体样本将用于分析各种地球化学和同位素物种，包括岩浆挥发性物种。这些数据将与温度测量相结合，以检查酸挥发物对覆盖在硅岩浆上的热液系统演化的影响，以及这如何影响金属的动员。它还将用于研究海水环流在海洋地壳中的作用及其对通过矿物沉淀去除二氧化碳的影响。这项工作的更广泛影响包括：一位早期职业科学家的支持，一所学院的教职员工和本科生的参与，该学院服务于马萨诸塞州东南部经济困难的城市中心，并让本科生参与当地的夏季航海项目。为K-8学生创建动手学习模块。

Although hydrothermal vent systems have been intensively studied at mid-ocean ridges where ocean crust is being created, few such studies have been carried out in back arc basin spreading systems where crust is being subducted back into the mantle. This research assesses the chemical evolution of hydrothermal activity and its linkages to associated vent biology in one such back arc basin spreading center in the East Lau Basin. A unique series of time series fluid samples that were collected in 2009 will be analyzed for a variety of geochemical and isotopic species, including magmatic volatile species. These data will be combined with temperature measurements to examine the effect of acid volatiles on the evolution of hydrothermal systems overlying silicic magmas and how this influences the mobilization of metals. It will also be used to examine the role of seawater circulation in the ocean crust and its impact on the removal of CO2 via mineral precipitation. Broader impacts of the work include the support of an early career scientist, involvement of faculty and undergraduates from a college that serves economically struggling urban centers in southeastern Massachusetts, and engaging undergraduates involved in local summer sea-going programs. Hands-on learning modules for K-8 students will be created.